Multi-segment single panel grip

ABSTRACT

A grip for the handle of a golf club having multiple two layer panels that are wrapped about an underlisting sleeve. The edges of the panels are adhesively sealed together. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness in the manner of a spirally wrapped polyurethane-felt grip while allowing the use of multiple color panels and easy installation onto a golf club shaft.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/746,764, filed Dec. 23, 2003. This application relates to animproved grip for golf clubs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Applicant has previously developed resilient grips which successfullyreduce impact shock to the muscle and arm joints of the user's of golfclubs and also provide a feeling of tackiness between a player's handsand the grip. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,813 granted toApplicant on Aug. 25, 1998 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/392480 filed by Applicant on Mar. 18, 2003.

2. Description of the Related Art

The earliest of these grips utilize a polyurethane-felt strip which isspirally wrapped around an underlisting sleeve that is slipped onto andadhered to a golf club handle. The sides of the strips are formed withoverlapping heat depressed recessed reinforcement edges. While suchgrips have proven satisfactory in reducing impact shock, theirfabrication is labor intensive, particularly since the strip must bewrapped manually about the underlisting sleeve within specific pressureparameters. Additionally, it is difficult to accurately align theadjoining side edges of the strip as such strip is being spirallywrapped about the underlisting sleeve. These wrapped grips can becometwisted during the wrapping process, allow for only limited display ofdecorative designs and allow for only a limited placement of colors.

Applicant's Ser. No. 10/392480 application seeks to overcome two of theaforementioned disadvantages of existing spirally wrapped grips whileproviding the same resistance to shock afforded by such grips, as wellas providing tackiness. The disadvantages are eliminated by forming astructurally integral grip from a single polyurethane-felt panel havinga configuration corresponding to the exterior shape of an underlistingsleeve. While this design removes the twisting problems associated withthe wrapping process and offers more area to display decorative designs,it is limited in its ability to accommodate multiple color schemes whichare so popular in today's modern world of golf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the golf club grip of the present invention overcome theaforementioned disadvantages of the existing spirally wrapped grips andthe single panel grips while providing the same resistance to shockafforded by such grips, as well as providing tackiness. Desirably, astructurally integral grip is formed from multiple, initially distinct,two-layer panels.

One preferred embodiment is a grip, including a preferably resilientunderlisting sleeve, a first panel and a second panel. The first paneland the second panel are wrapped about and adhered to the underlistingsleeve. The underlisting sleeve has an opening at one end sized so thatthe sleeve is telescopically slippable onto the handle of a golf club.The underlisting sleeve also includes a cap with a downwardly facingcircumferential slot and a nipple with an upwardly facingcircumferential slot. The first panel includes a polyurethane outsidelayer bonded to a felt inside layer, a top edge, a bottom edge and twoside edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, where theinside layer defines an inner surface of the first panel. The secondpanel includes a polyurethane outside layer bonded to a felt insidelayer, a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges extending betweenthe top edge and the bottom edge, where the outside layer defines anouter surface of the second panel. The first panel of this embodimentdefines a skived backside bottom edge having skiving extending from theinside layer to the outside layer so as to form an obtuse angle (α inFIG. 36A) with the inner surface of the first panel and the second paneldefines a skived frontside top edge having skiving extending from theoutside layer to the inside layer so as to form an obtuse angle (β inFIG. 36A) with the outer surface of the second panel. The bottom edge ofthe first panel abuts the top edge of the second panel, so that thebottom edge of the first panel and the top edge of the second panelcooperate to form a substantially horizontal seam.

One embodiment is a grip, including a resilient underlisting sleeve, afirst panel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel arewrapped about and adhered to the underlisting sleeve. The underlistingsleeve has an opening at one end sized so that the sleeve istelescopically slippable onto the handle of a golf club. The first panelincludes a polymeric outside layer bonded to a fabric inside layer, atop edge, a bottom edge and two side edges extending between the topedge and the bottom edge. The second panel includes a polymeric outsidelayer bonded to a fabric inside layer, a top edge, a bottom edge and twoside edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. The firstpanel of this embodiment defines a skived bottom edge and the secondpanel defines a skived top edge. The bottom edge of the first panelabuts the top edge of the second panel, so that the bottom edge of thefirst panel and the top edge of the second panel cooperate to form asubstantially horizontal seam.

Another embodiment is a grip, including an underlisting sleeve, a firstpanel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel arewrapped about and adhered to the underlisting sleeve. The underlistingsleeve has an opening at one end sized so that the sleeve istelescopically slippable onto the handle of a golf club. The first panelincludes a polymeric outside layer bonded to a fabric inside layer, atop edge, a bottom edge and two side edges extending between the topedge and the bottom edge. The second panel includes a polymeric outsidelayer bonded to a fabric inside layer, a top edge, a bottom edge and twoside edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. Theinside layer and the outside layer of the bottom edge of the first panelare skived. The inside layer and the outside layer of the top edge ofthe second panel are skived. The inside layer of the first panel abutsthe inside layer of the second panel and the bottom edge of the firstpanel is secured to the top edge of the bottom panel. The bottom edge ofthe first panel and the top edge of the second panel cooperate to form aseam transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve.

Yet another embodiment is a grip, including an underlisting sleeve, afirst panel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel arewrapped about and adhered to the underlisting sleeve. The underlistingsleeve has an opening at one end sized so that the sleeve istelescopically slippable onto the handle of a golf club. The first panelincludes a polymeric outside layer bonded to a fabric inside layer, atop edge, a bottom edge and two side edges extending between the topedge and the bottom edge. The second panel includes a polymeric outsidelayer bonded to a fabric inside layer, a top edge, a bottom edge and twoside edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. Theinside layer and the outside layer of the bottom edge of the first panelare skived from the inside layer to the outside layer so as to form anobtuse angle with the inner surface of the first panel. The inside layerand the outside layer of the top edge of the second panel are skivedfrom the outside layer to the inside layer so as to form an obtuse anglewith the outer surface of the second panel. The bottom edge of the firstpanel abuts the top edge of the second panel. The bottom edge of thefirst panel and the top edge of the second panel cooperate to form asubstantially horizontal seam.

Yet another embodiment is a method of making a grip for the handle of agolf club, including the following steps: providing an underlistingsleeve that is telescopically slippable onto the handle of a golf club;providing a first panel including a polymeric outside layer bonded to afabric inside layer, the first panel having a top edge, a bottom edgeand two side edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge;providing a second panel including a polymeric outside layer bonded to afabric inside layer, the second panel having a top edge, a bottom edgeand two side edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge;skiving the inside layer and the outside layer of the bottom edge of thefirst panel from the inside layer to the outside layer so as to form anobtuse angle with the inner surface of the first panel; skiving theinside layer and the outside layer of the top edge of the second panelfrom the outside layer to the inside layer so as to form an obtuse anglewith the outer surface of the second panel; abutting the bottom edge ofthe first panel to the top edge of the second panel; wrapping the firstpanel about and adhering the first panel to the underlisting sleeve;wrapping the second panel about and adhering the second panel to theunderlisting sleeve, whereby, upon completion of the securing step andthe wrapping step, the bottom edge of the first panel and the top edgeof the second panel cooperate to form a substantially horizontal seam.

Another embodiment is a grip, including an underlisting sleeve, a firstpanel, a second panel and a third panel. The first panel, the secondpanel and the third panel are wrapped about and adhered to theunderlisting sleeve. The underlisting sleeve having a top end and abottom end and being telescopically slippable onto the handle of a golfclub. The first panel includes a polyurethane outside layer bonded to afelt inside layer, the first panel having a top edge, a bottom edge andtwo side edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. Thesecond panel includes a polyurethane outside layer bonded to a feltinside layer, the second panel having a top edge, a bottom edge and twoside edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. The thirdpanel includes a polyurethane outside layer bonded to a felt insidelayer, the third panel having a top edge, a bottom edge and two sideedges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. The top edgeof the first panel is positioned adjacent the top end of the sleeve andthe bottom edge of the second panel is positioned adjacent the bottomend of the sleeve. The first panel of this embodiment defines a skivedbackside bottom edge having skiving extending from the inside layer tothe outside layer so as to form an obtuse angle (α′ in FIG. 80A) withthe inner surface of the first panel. The second panel of thisembodiment defines a skived frontside top edge having skiving extendingfrom the outside layer to the inside layer so as to form an obtuse angle(β′ in FIG. 80A) with the outer surface of the second panel. The thirdpanel of this embodiment defines a skived frontside top edge havingskiving extending from the outside layer to the inside layer so as toform an obtuse angle (γ′ in FIG. 80A) with the outer surface of thethird panel and a skived backside bottom edge having skiving extendingfrom the inside layer to the outside layer so as to form an obtuse angle(δ′ in FIG. 80A) with the inner surface of the third panel. The bottomedge of the first panel abuts the top edge of the third panel so thatthe bottom edge of the first panel and the top edge of the third panelcooperate to form a substantially horizontal seam. The bottom edge ofthe third panel abuts the top edge of the second panel so that thebottom edge of the third panel and the top edge of the second panelcooperate to form a transverse and, preferably, substantially horizontalseam.

The inside layer is preferably a fabric layer, and more preferably afelt layer. The outside layer is preferably a polymer layer, and morepreferably a polyurethane layer. In the case of a two-panel grip, thebottom edge of the first panel abuts the top edge of the second panel.These edges are desirably adhered together to define a generallyhorizontal seam. Two or more panels may be used to create a single,multi-segment, multi-colored panel grip. In grips with three or morepanels, the top most and bottom most panels are desirably skived likethe two-panel grip. The connecting panels are desirably skived withparallel edges such that their edges abut to define generally horizontalseams extending though the contiguous panel. The side edges of suchmulti-segment single panels desirably abut one another and are adheredtogether to define a longitudinal seam extending through the completedgrip. A heat formed recessed sealing channel may be formed in theexterior portion of the polyurethane layer at the outer end of the seamto strengthen such seam. Hot polyurethane may be deposited along theseam or within the channel, after such polyurethane has hardened it maybe buffed to smoothly blend into the surface of the grip. In anothermodification, a mold may be utilized to emboss a friction enhancingpattern over the deposited polyurethane to match any friction enhancingpattern pressed into the outside layer of the grip.

Embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured at considerablyless cost than existing spirally wrapped grips since it eliminates theintensive labor of spirally wrapping a strip around an underlistingsleeve within specific pressure parameters. Additionally, embodiments ofthe multi-segment single panel grip will not twist either duringmanufacture or after it is adhered to an underlisting sleeve. My newgrip desirably has an appearance similar to conventional molded rubbergrips so as to appeal to professional golfers and low-handicap amateurs,and also provides a greater area for the application of decorativedesigns. Further, embodiments of the present invention can alsoaccommodate multiple color combinations that would not have beenpossible with the single panel grips, thus appealing to golfers andcollege programs who wish to display their school colors while playingthe sport they love. Embodiments of the present invention are very easyto install.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of theinvention, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a first polyurethane-felt panel member of amulti-segment golf club grip;

FIG. 1B is a front view of a second polyurethane-felt panel member of amulti-segment golf club grip;

FIG. 2A is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 2A-2A ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 2B-2B ofFIG. 1B;

FIG. 3A is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B ofFIG. 1B;

FIG. 4 shows the bottom edge of the first panel member S1 of FIG. 1Abeing skived;

FIG. 5 shows the top edge of the second panel member S2 of FIG. 1B beingskived;

FIG. 6A is a rear view showing adhesive being applied to the skivedbottom edge of the first panel member S1;

FIG. 6B is a front view showing adhesive being applied to the skived topedge of the second panel member S2;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a multi-segment polyurethane-felt panel memberof a golf club grip prior to being press cut to its working shape;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the horizontal seam100 taken along the line designated 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A is a front view of the multi-segment polyurethane-felt panelmember after being press cut to its final working shape;

FIG. 9B is a side view of the multi-segment polyurethane-felt panelmember of a golf club grip after being press cut to its final workingshape;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a first mold whichmay be utilized in forming a multi-segment single panel grip;

FIG. 11A is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 11A-11A ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 11B is a vertical cross-sectional view of an alternative mold whichmay be utilized in forming a multi-segment single panel grip from a viewcorresponding to the view taken along line 11A-11A of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 12A inFIG. 11B;

FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 12B inFIG. 11B;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 13 in FIG.10;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the multi-segment single panel of FIG. 9after it is removed from the mold shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the multi-segment single panel of FIG. 9after it is removed from another version of the mold shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a front view of the multi-segment single panel of FIG. 9after it is removed from yet another version of the mold shown in FIG.10;

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 ofFIG. 15;

FIG. 18 shows the top and bottom edges of the multi-segment single panelbeing skived;

FIG. 19 shows a first side edge of the multi-segment single panel beingskived;

FIG. 20 shows a second side edge of the multi-segment single panel beingskived;

FIG. 21 shows the interior surface of the multi-segment single panelafter the top, bottom and side edges thereof have been skived in themanner depicted in FIGS. 18, 19, and 20;

FIG. 22 is a front view of an underlisting sleeve member of themulti-segment single panel grip of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional taken along the line 23-23 of FIG.22;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 24 in FIG.23;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 25 in FIG.23;

FIG. 26 is a front view showing adhesive being applied to the exteriorof the underlisting sleeve;

FIG. 27 is a front view showing adhesive being applied to the interiorsurface of the multi-segment single panel;

FIG. 28 is a front view showing a first step in wrapping and adheringthe multi-segment single panel to an underlisting sleeve;

FIG. 29 is a front view showing a second step in wrapping and adheringthe multi-segment single panel around an underlisting sleeve;

FIG. 30 is a front view showing the multi-segment single panel adheredto an underlisting sleeve;

FIG. 31 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 33-33 ofFIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 34 in FIG.32;

FIG. 35 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 34 in FIG.33;

FIG. 36 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 36-36 ofFIG. 30;

FIG. 36A is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 36A inFIG. 36;

FIG. 37 is a side view showing a heat depressed sealing channel beingformed along the top portion of the seam shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 38 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 38-38 inFIG. 37;

FIG. 39 shows the parts of FIG. 38 after the sealing channel has beenformed;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 40 in FIG.39;

FIG. 41 is a front view of a completed multi-segment single panel gripaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the linedesignated 42-42 of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the linedesignated 43-43 of FIG. 41;

FIG. 44 is a broken front view showing a first step in making amodification of the grip of FIG. 39;

FIG. 45 is a broken front view showing a second step in making amodification of the grip of FIG. 39;

FIG. 46 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 46-46 ofFIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 47 in FIG.46;

FIG. 48 is a front view of a multi-segment single panel grip as in FIG.30, ready for modification;

FIG. 49 is a broken front view showing a first step in the modificationof the grip shown in FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 is a broken front view showing a second step in the modificationof the grip shown in FIG. 48;

FIG. 51 is a front view of the grip made in accordance with FIGS. 48-50;

FIG. 52 is a broken front view showing another modification of the gripshown in FIG. 48;

FIG. 53 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 53-53of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 54 in FIG.53;

FIG. 55 is a broken front view showing another modification of the gripshown in FIG. 48;

FIG. 56 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 56-56of FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 57 in FIG.56;

FIG. 58 is a side view of a die utilized in modifying the grips of FIGS.52 and 55;

FIG. 59 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 59-59 inFIG. 58;

FIG. 60 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 60-60 ofFIG. 58;

FIG. 61 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 61 of FIG.58;

FIG. 62 is a front view of a grip made in accordance with FIGS. 58-61;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of an underlisting sleeve of a putter gripaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 64 is a rear view of the underlisting sleeve of FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 65-65of FIG. 63;

FIG. 66 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 66-66 ofFIG. 64;

FIG. 67 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 67-67 ofFIG. 64;

FIG. 68A is a front view of the multi-segment polyurethane-felt panelmember of a golf club putter grip according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 68B is a side view of the multi-segment polyurethane-felt panelmember of a golf club putter grip according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 69 is a perspective front view of a completed multi-segment singlepanel putter grip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 70 is a rear view of the putter grip of FIG. 69;

FIG. 71 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 71-71 ofFIG. 69;

FIG. 72A is a front view of a top polyurethane-felt panel member S1′ ofa multi-segment golf club grip;

FIG. 72B is a front view of a middle polyurethane-felt panel member S2′of a multi-segment golf club grip;

FIG. 72C is a front view of a bottom polyurethane-felt panel member S3′of a multi-segment golf club grip;

FIG. 73A is vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 73A-73Aof FIG. 72A;

FIG. 73B is vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 73B-73Bof FIG. 72B;

FIG. 73C is vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 73C-73Cof FIG. 72C;

FIG. 74A is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 74A-74Aof FIG. 72A;

FIG. 74B is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 74B-74Bof FIG. 72B;

FIG. 74C is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 74C-74Cof FIG. 72C;

FIG. 75 shows the top edge of the middle segment S3′ of FIG. 72B beingskived;

FIG. 76 shows the bottom edge of the middle segment S3′ of FIG. 72Bbeing skived;

FIG. 77A is a front view showing adhesive being applied to the skivededge of the panel member;

FIG. 77B is a front view showing adhesive being applied to the skivededge of the panel member;

FIG. 77C is a front view showing adhesive being applied to the skivededge of the panel member;

FIG. 78 is a front view of a multi-segment polyurethane-felt panelmember of a golf club grip prior to being press cut to its workingshape;

FIG. 79 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the linedesignated 79-79 in FIG. 78;

FIG. 80 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a completed grip;

FIG. 80A is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 80A ofFIG. 80;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of a golf club provided with amulti-segment single panel grip according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 82 is a perspective view showing a putter provided with amulti-segment single panel grip according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters,unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements,components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, whilethe subject invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrativeembodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be madeto the described embodiments without departing from the true scope andspirit of the subject invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 81, a multi-segment single panel gripG embodying the present invention is shown attached to the shaft 55 of agolf club GC. In FIG. 82, a multi-segment single panel putter grip PG isshown attached to the shaft 57 of a putter P. Referring now to theremaining drawings, a preferred form of grip G includes a multi-segmentsingle panel S formed of multiple panels of bonded-together layers ofpolyurethane 60 and a felt 62 which is then wrapped about and adhered toa resilient underlisting sleeve U of conventional construction.Throughout the application, the term top is used to refer to that whichis closest to the butt end of the club opposite the club head, i.e. theend closest to the golfer if that golfer were to be swinging or strokingthe club. Similarly, the term bottom is used to define the panel or edgefurthest from the butt end of the club.

FIG. 1A shows a first two-layer panel S1 with an outside layer 60 a andan inside layer 62 a (FIG. 2A). FIG. 1B shows a second two-layer panelS2 that will abut against and be bonded to the first panel S1 to form amulti-segment single panel MP (FIG. 7). In particular, the first panelS1 has a bottom edge 81 that, after processing, will abut against a topedge 82 of the second panel S2. It is understood that the panels used toform any particular grip will be constructed generally the same,differing principally in their color and size.

The outside layer of the panels in this disclosure is generally referredto as a polyurethane layer. Though polyurethane is the preferredmaterial, other materials could be used and achieve some advantages. Inparticular, other polymeric compounds can be used to create the outerlayer and achieve some advantages. Similarly, the inside layer isgenerally referred to as felt in this disclosure. Though felt ispreferred, it is understood that other fabric layers can be used inalternative embodiments of this invention. Polyurethane and felt areused throughout as a matter of convenience. In another embodiment, theinside layer may comprise a polymer, more preferably ethylene vinylacetate (EVA).

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the felt layers 62 a, 62 b have theirouter surfaces bonded to the inner surface of the polyurethane layers 60a, 60 b, with such polyurethane layers 60 a, 60 b preferably beingcoagulated to define pores (not shown). Once bonded, the outside layer60 a of the first panel S1 has an outer surface 61 a, while the insidelayer 62 a has an inner surface 63 a. As will be appreciated by those ofskill in the art, the outer surface 61 a of the outside layer 60 adefines the outer surface of the first panel S1 and the inner surface of63 a of the inside layer 62 a defines the inner surface of the firstpanel S1. Similarly, the outside layer 60 b of the second panel S2 hasan outer surface 61 b, while the inside layer 62 b has an inner surface63 b. Thus, the outer surface 61 b of the outside layer 60 b defines theouter surface of the second panel S2 and the inner surface 63 b of theinside layer 62 b defines the inner surface of the second panel S2 (FIG.8). The felt layer may be fabricated of wool, polyester, nylon ormixtures thereof. Preferably, a nylon polyester felt will be utilized.The polyurethane layers 60 a, 60 b may be formed in a conventionalmanner by coating one side of a felt strip with a solution ofpolyurethane (e.g., polyester, polyether) dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF), immersing the coated strip in water baths to displacethe DMF and cause the urethanes to coagulate, and finally, driving offthe water by the application of pressure and heat. The solids content ofthe polyurethane layer will vary in accordance with the desired hardnessof such polyurethane layer. A preferred solids content solution isapproximately 28.5-30.5%, with a viscosity range of about 60,000-90,000cps measured at 25+/−0.5 degrees C. Suitable polyurethane ingredientscan be purchased from the following companies:

-   -   Lidye Chemical Co., Ltd.    -   10F1 Lidye-Commercial Bldg.    -   22 Nanking W. Road, Taipei    -   Taiwan, R.O.C.    -   Lidye Chemical Co., Ltd.    -   No. 17, Ching Chien 6^(th) Road    -   Guan in Industrial Area, Guan In Shiang    -   Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan, R.O.C.    -   Lidye Resin (Panyu) Co., Ltd.    -   Xiadao Industrial Park    -   Liye Road, Dongchong Town    -   Panyu City, Guangdong Province, PRC

Preferably, the thickness of the polyurethane layer will be about0.3-0.5 millimeters and the thickness of the felt layer about 0.8-1.7millimeters. The polyurethane layer of the panels provides a cushionedgrasping surface for a golfer's hands on a golf club and also enhancesthe golfer's grip by providing increased tackiness between the player'shand and the grip. In each panel, the felt layer provides strength tothe polyurethane layer and serves as a means for attaching thebonded-together polyurethane and felt multi-segment single panel to anunderlisting sleeve U.

The multiple panels that will form the basis of the multi-segment singlepanel MP are desirably prepared. Referring now to FIG. 4, the firstpanel S1 is shown having its bottom edge 81 skived by a single rotatingknife 79 downwardly and outwardly from the inside layer 62 a to theoutside layer 60 a, thereby creating skived edge 81. The first panel S1is placed felt or inside layer 62 a up and a pressure plate 83 isutilized to secure the panel S1 on a base 84 during the skivingoperation. Preferably, the skived edge 81 will have a width of about4.0-6.0 millimeters. In FIG. 5, the second panel S2 is shown secured tobase 84 felt side 62 b down while the rotating knife 50 skives its topedge 82 from the outside layer 60 b to the inside layer 62 b to formskived edge 82.

FIG. 6A shows the application of an adhesive 90 by means of a nozzle,brush or the like to the skived edge 81 of the first panel S1.Similarly, FIG. 6B shows the application of an adhesive 90 by means of anozzle, brush or the like to the skived top edge 82 of the secondsegment S2.

After application of the adhesive 90, the skived edges 81, 82 abut andare pressed together such that the once separate polyurethane-feltpanels S1, S2 now form a contiguous multi-segment panel MP with asubstantially horizontal seam 100, as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line designated8-8 in FIG. 7. Note the felt-felt bond between the felt layer 62 a ofthe first panel S1 and the felt layer 62 b of the second panel S2. Thisfelt-felt bonding section adds structural integrity to the panel MP.

The preferred method is to skive the bottom edge 81 of the first panelS1 downwardly and outwardly from its inside layer 62 a to its outsidelayer 60 a (FIG. 4) while skiving the top edge 82 of the second panel S2in a similar manner (FIG. 5), noting that the second panel S2 is securedoutside layer 60 b facing up towards the pressure plate 83, where as thefirst panel S1 is skived with its inside layer 62 a facing up towardsthe pressure plate 83. Desirably, the outer surface 61 b of the secondpanel S2 and the skived top edge 82 of the second panel S2 form anincluded obtuse angle, more preferably an included obtuse angle of over110 degrees, more preferably an included obtuse angle of roughly 130-160degrees and, most preferably, an included obtuse angle of roughly 135degrees. The inner surface 63 a of the first panel S1 and the skivedbottom edge 81 of the first panel S 1 desirably form a similar includedobtuse angle to the angle formed by the outer surface 61 b of the secondpanel S2 and the skived top edge 82 of the second panel S2.

While there are other ways to practice the invention, this structure ispreferred for several reasons. One common tendency of golfers is tostroke downwardly with their thumbs as they prepare to hit the ball.This could place pressure on the horizontal seam. Our preferredconfiguration allows this downward stroking without encouraging thepanels to separate from the underlisting sleeve. That is, the thinuppermost portion of the top edge 82 is protected from rolling downwardby the overlapping bottom edge 81 of the first panel. Significantly,this thin felt uppermost portion of the top edge 82 of the second panelS2 is glued to the structurally strong felt portion of the bottom edge81 of the first panel S1. The grip G would be much less effective atpreventing premature unraveling if it had an exposed thin upward facingedge. The only thin upward facing portion of the edge at the seam 100,the thin uppermost portion of the top edge 82 of the second panel S2, issafely enclosed on the inside of the grip G and securely attached to theunderlisting sleeve U. While the outside of the grip G is exposed bydefinition, the portion of the seam 100 that is exposed is the lowermostportion of the bottom edge 81 of the first panel S1. This lowermostportion of the bottom edge 81 is downward facing and thus naturallyallows the thumb to roll over it without encouraging prematureunraveling. Even if the two panels were somewhat misaligned, so that aportion of the upwardly facing edge of the top edge on the second panelS2 were exposed, the exposed portion would be almost as thick as thebody of the panel and, thus, structurally strong. Importantly, the largeobtuse angle formed by the top edge of the second panel and the outersurface of the first panel would tend to guide the user's thumb outwardand downward, away from the thin uppermost portion of the top edge ofthe second panel S2. As such, this preferred configuration discouragesunraveling, even in the event of misalignment.

Further, it is less distracting for the golfer looking down at thehandle when the seam is fluid, another advantageous result of ourhorizontal seam with the preferred skiving because the outer layer ofthe top panel flows over the lower panel. Regardless, the skiving isperformed such that the polyurethane side 60 a of the first panel S1 andthe polyurethane side 60 b of the second panel S2 are on the same sideof the contiguous multi-segment panel MP to form a contiguouspolyurethane outside layer 110 (FIG. 7). Once each panel has itsrespective skived edge, the segments are ready to be bonded.

Once the panels are joined, the panel MP is press cut in theconventional way to form the shaped panel S found in FIG. 9A. The samepress cut also forms notches N1, N2 in the panel S at the center of thetop and bottom edges, respectively. The notches N1, N2 serve as markingsto help center the panel on the underlisting sleeve U. Though there areother methods of centering the panel, these notches are preferredbecause they reduce cost and do not affect the contours of the finishedgrip G. By way of example, it is possible to have a raised or scoredline running vertically along the underlisting G to indicate the centralaxis. This line could then correspond to a scored line on the panelgrip, thus providing a means for centering the panel on the grip.However, because the lines on both the panel and the underlistinginvolve adding to or taking away from the respective piece, the lineshave the potential of affecting the contours of the grip surface. Thenotches, on the other hand, reside under the cap and nipple (discussedbelow) and thus do not affect the contours of the grip.

FIG. 9B shows an edge view of shaped panel S. Note the horizontal seam100 and dual contiguous layers 110, 112 running the length of the panelS.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-17 there is shown a first mold M which isutilized to form a friction enhancing pattern 66 (FIG. 14) on thepolyurethane layer 110. Mold M includes a base plate B and a heatedplaten 67 formed with a cavity 68. The platen 67 is provided withdepending protrusions 69 that engage the outer surface of thepolyurethane layer 110 so as to form the depressed friction enhancingpattern 66, as seen in FIG. 13. The heated platen 67 may includedepending protrusions 69 a that would form recessed side edges 70, 71 onedges 134, 136, respectively, and recessed top and bottom edges (notshown) on top and bottom edges 130, 132 on the polyurethane layer 110,as shown in FIGS. 11 b, 12 a and 12 b. Alternatively, the preferredembodiment contains no such side oriented protrusions 69 a such that useof the mold M results only in the friction enhancing pattern 63 on thepolyurethane layer 110, as demonstrated by FIG. 11 a and FIG. 14.

In alternative embodiments, other patterns may be formed on thepolyurethane layer 110. As seen in FIG. 15, one alternative designleaves the majority of the outside layer 110 smooth while visualindicia, such as a logo 116 is placed near the bottom end of the panelS. In FIG. 16, yet another embodiment of the friction enhancing patternis shown. The second pattern 118 incorporates visual indicia extendingthe majority of the length of the panel surrounded by a tread patternsimilar to the friction enhancing pattern 66 in FIG. 13. FIG. 16 alsoshows an alternative means for imputing decorative designs or logos onthe grip panel S. Stamped visual indicia, such as logo 114, is inkstamped onto the polyurethane layer 110 using a suitable ink known tothose of skill in the art. Preferably, the ink is waterproof and heatresistant and, more preferably, formulated to resist degradation whencoming into contact with the lubrication fluid or solvent used to applythe completed grip G (underlisting U with panel S) over the end of agolf club GC shaft 55 (FIG. 81) or a putter P shaft 57 (FIG. 82). It isto be understood that these are representative and many other patternsand stamps may be used with this multi-segment single panel grip.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line designated 17-17in FIG. 14. It shows the friction enhancing pattern 66 formed on thecontiguous polyurethane layer 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-21, the peripheral edges of the panel S areshown being skived by a pair of rotating knives 120, 122 which engagethe top and bottom edges 130,132 of the panel S (FIG. 18), and a singlerotating knife 124 (FIG. 19) engaging side edges 134, 136. Knives 120and 122 form top and bottom skived edges 130, 132, respectively. Knife124 is shown forming skived edge 134 on one side of the panel S in FIG.19 and the skived edge 136 in FIG. 20 after the first side has beenskived. A pressure plate 83 is utilized to secure the panels on base 84during the skiving operation. It will be noted that the skiving on theopposite sides of the panel S are parallel to one another, as seen inFIG. 20. Preferably, the skiving will have a width of about 4.0-6.0millimeters.

FIG. 21 is a rear view of the panel S after the rotating knives 120,122, 124 have skived the edges 130, 132, 134, 136.

Referring now to FIGS. 22-25 there is shown an underlisting sleeve Uformed of a resilient material such as a natural or synthetic rubber orplastic. Sleeve U includes an integral cap 85 at its top end, while thebottom end of the sleeve is formed with an integral nipple 86. Theunderside of the cap is formed with a downwardly extending slot 87.Preferably, the slot 87 wraps circumferentially around the underlistingU. The slot 87 receives the top skived edge 130 of the panel S asdescribed hereinafter. Similarly, the integral nipple 86 of theunderlisting U is formed with an upwardly extending slot 88. The slot 88is preferably circumferentially wrapped about the underlisting U.Preferably, underlisting sleeve U will be formed with centering notchesN3, N4 indicating a middle point for application of the completed grippanel S to the underlisting sleeve U to form complete grip G.

Referring now to FIGS. 26-35 the panel S is shown being applied to anunderlisting sleeve U. In FIG. 26, the exterior surface of theunderlisting sleeve U is shown receiving an adhesive 90 by means of anozzle, brush or the like. In FIG. 27, the inner surface of thecontiguous felt layer 112 is shown receiving an adhesive 90 by means ofa nozzle, brush or the like.

FIG. 28 shows the panel S being wrapped around and adhered to theunderlisting sleeve U. During this operation, the notches N1, N2 of thepanel S are disposed in alignment under notches N3, N4 of theunderlisting sleeve U. Also, the top edge 130 of the panel S will bemanually inserted within the slot 87 of the underlisting cap 85, whilethe bottom edge 132 of the panel S is manually inserted within the slot88 formed within the nipple 86 by temporarily flexing the peripheral lip89 outwardly.

As indicated in FIGS. 33, 34, and 35, the skived side edges 134, 136 ofthe panel S will be adhered together by a suitable adhesive 90 so as todefine a vertical seam 91 extending through the panel. Because of theskived side edges 134, 136, the seam 91 extends though the panel S at anangle relative to the depth of the panel S so as to increase the lengthof such seam as compared to a seam extending parallel to the depth ofthe panel. Increased length of the seam affords a stronger bond. Theseam is particularly strong where it joins the inside layers together,i.e. the felt-felt bond as shown in FIG. 35.

A suitable adhesive 90 has the chemical formula polychloroprene (C₄H₅Cl)and Toluene (CH₅CH₃). As the panel S is being wrapped about and adheredto underlisting sleeve U, the sleeve will be temporarily supported on acollapsible mandrel 92 in a conventional manner.

In one embodiment, the seam 91 is left alone and the completed grip G-1resembles the grip in FIG. 30. FIG. 36 shows a cross-sectional viewtaken along the line designated 36-36 (FIG. 30) of the multi-segmentsingle panel S and the underlisting U showing the horizontal seam 100relative to the length of the grip G-1. It will be appreciated by thoseof skill in the art that various advantages of the invention can beachieved by other types of seams. However, a seam transverse to thelongitudinal axis Y of the sleeve U and, therefore, the longitudinalaxis of the grip G-1 is preferred. As used herein, transverse seam is abroad term and includes diagonal seams, zigzag seams and wavy seams.Further, it is desirable that the seam is closer to horizontal thanvertical. This view would be substantially the same for all grips Gconstructed as described above. The use of more panels would result incorrespondingly more horizontal seams.

FIG. 36A is an enlarged view of the encircled portion designated 36A inFIG. 36. It shows the horizontal seam 100. Further, it shows how theskived bottom edge of the first panel S1 is skived from the inside layer62 a to the outside layer 60 a so as to form an obtuse angle a with theinner surface 63 a of the first panel S1. It also shows how the skivedtop edge of the second panel S2 is skived from the outside layer 60 b tothe inside layer 62 b so as to form an obtuse angle β with the outersurface 61 b of the second panel S2. Notably, it is preferred thatobtuse angle α and obtuse angle β are equal such that when panel S1 isjoined to panel S2, they form a substantially flat single panel S(viewed in cross-section as in FIG. 36A).

FIGS. 42 and 43 show enlarged cross-sectional views along the linesdesignated 42-42 and 43-43, respectively, in FIG. 41. They demonstratethe final placement of the top and bottom edges 130, 132 of the panel Safter the panel S has been adhered to the underlisting U. It will beseen that the top edge 130 of the panel S is securely disposed withinthe cap slot 87. Similarly, the bottom edge 132 is securely disposedwithin the nipple slot 88. The complete grip is then removed from themandrel 92 and is ready to be slipped onto and adhered to the shaft of agolf club GC in a conventional manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 37-39, an embodiment is shown after the sideedges 134, 136 of the panel S have been adhered together. FIG. 37 showsthe underlisting sleeve U supported by mandrel 92 upon a base 93 while alongitudinally extending heated pressure tooth 94 is urged against thepolyurethane layer 110 at the outer edge of seam 91. Such heated toothforms a small depression 95 in the polyurethane layer 110 aligned withthe outer edge of the seam 91 so as to further strengthen such seam. Anembodiment of a completed grip G-2 after the use of the tooth 94 isshown in FIG. 41.

FIGS. 44-47 show another embodiment of a golf club grip G-3, similar inall respects to grip G-2 with the exception that the channel 95 isfilled with hot polyurethane 96 by a nozzle, brush or the like (FIG.44). After the polyurethane hardens, it can be buffed by a suitablebrush 97 or the like to smoothly blend into the surface of the grip asshown in FIG. 45. Alternatively, after channel 95 is not buffed after itis filled with hot polyurethane.

Referring now to FIGS. 48-51, there is shown another embodiment of agrip G-4. Grip G-4 does not use the channel 95. Rather, seam 91 iscoated by a small quantity of hot polyurethane 96 by means of a nozzle,brush or the like, as shown in FIG. 47. After the polyurethane hardens,it may be buffed by a suitable brush 97 or the like to smoothly blendinto the surface of the grip, as indicated in FIG. 51. Alternatively,the polyurethane is not buffed or blended.

Referring to FIGS. 52-62, there is shown a modification of the grips ofFIGS. 28-51. In FIGS. 52-54, hot polyurethane 96 is shown being coatedover the seam 91 by a nozzle, brush or the like. In FIGS. 55-57, hotpolyurethane 96 is shown filling the channel 95 by a nozzle, brush orthe like. FIG. 58 shows a mold M-2 having a heated platen 140 theunderside of which is formed with a segment 66 a of the frictionenhancing pattern 66 which is embossed on the surface of thepolyurethane layer 110 of the grip. Such heated platen 140 is depressedagainst the outer surface of the polyurethane layer over the area of theseam 91 while the polyurethane is still hot. With this arrangement, thearea of the exterior of the polyurethane layer 110 outwardly of the seamis formed with the friction enhancing segment of FIG. 59 whereby suchsegment merges with the friction enhancing pattern 66 molded on the mainbody of the outer surface of the grip. FIG. 62 shows such a grip G-5with the merged friction enhancing pattern 66 placed over and adhered toa golf club shaft 55. Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, theheated platen 140 may be urged against the naked seam 91 to form thefriction enhancing pattern without first coating it with hotpolyurethane 96. Pressing the pattern 66 directly to the seam 91eliminates a step in the production process and therefore reduces thecosts of production.

Referring now to FIGS. 63-71, there is shown a multi-segment singlepanel putter grip PG for use with a conventional putter. The grip PGincludes a resilient underlisting sleeve UP (FIGS. 63-67) which isgenerally similar to the aforedescribed underlisting U, except thatunderlisting sleeve UP is not of an annular configuration. Instead, thefront surface 98 of the underlisting sleeve UP is of flat configurationin accordance with the design of most putters in general use. It shouldbe understood that underlisting sleeve UP receives a multi-segmentsingle panel SP of polyurethane-felt configuration, similar to theaforedescribed multi-segment single panel S. The side edges of theputter panel SP are generally straight giving the panel SP a somewhattrapezoidal appearance prior to being wrapped around and adhered to theunderlisting sleeve UP.

Such single panel SP is wrapped about and adhered to the underlistingsleeve in the same manner as described hereinbefore with respect to themulti-segment single panel grips G-1-G-4, with like parts of the twogrips marked with like reference numerals. Similarly, if a tooth 94′ isused to create a channel 95′, it may be left alone or filled with hotpolyurethane 96′ and then left raw or buffed with a brush 97′ or thelike (refer to FIGS. 37-62 for examples of possible modifications to thegrips herein disclosed). In a preferred embodiment, the panel SP issmooth but for a visual indicia such as logo 114′ at the bottom end, asshown in FIG. 68. Because a putter is generally subjected to less forcesdue to the shortened putting swing as compared to the generally longerswing associated with other clubs, the putter grip PG generally does notrequire the friction enhancing pattern 66. However, it is contemplatedthat such a pattern can be molded into the putter panel SP as hereindescribed above.

It should be noted that any number of panels may be bonded together toform a multi-segment single panel grip. Preferably, the number isbetween 2 and 10, more preferably, between 2 and 5 and, most preferably,between 2 and 3. Referring now to FIGS. 72-79, another preferredembodiment is shown using 3 polyurethane-felt panels S1′, S2′ and S3′,respectively. Like parts of the grips are marked with like referencenumerals used above, distinguished by a prime symbol.

FIGS. 72 a, 72 b and 72 c are front views showing, respectively: the toppanel S1′, the bottom panel S2′, and the middle panel S3′. In oneembodiment, the top and bottom panels S1′, S2′ are generally of equalsize while the middle panel S3′ is shorter. Despite their differinglengths, each of the panels S1′, S2′, S3′ have substantially the samewidth such that when they are bonded together, they form a single,contiguous panel with side edges large enough to accept a press cutassembly to form a shaped panel S′ whose width substantially correspondsto the circumference of the underlisting sleeve U′.

FIGS. 73 a-74 c show vertical and horizontal cross-sectional views ofthe panels in FIGS. 72 a-c taken along the designated lines. The panelsin this three-panel embodiment and all other embodiments of differingnumbers of panels are created as described above in reference to FIGS.1-3.

Similar to the two-panel multi-segment single panel MP, the three-panelmulti-segment single panel MP′ requires some preparation. Top and bottompanels S1′, S2′ are skived as panels S1, S2 above, resulting in skivededges 81′, 82′ (FIGS. 77A and 77B). See FIGS. 4 and 5 for the methodused to skive panels S1′, S2′. FIGS. 75 and 76 show the skiving processfor the middle panel S3′. Knife 150 is shown skiving the top edge 160 ofthe middle segment S3′ downwardly and outwardly from the outside layer60 c′ to the inside layer 62 c′ (FIG. 75) and the bottom edge 162 fromthe inside layer 62 c′ to the outside layer 60 c′ after the top edge 160has been skived (FIG. 76). A pressure plate 83′ is utilized to securethe panel on base 84′ during the skiving operation. It will be notedthat the skiving on the opposite ends of the panel S3′ are parallel toone another, as seen in FIG. 76. Preferably, the skiving will again havea width of about 4.0-6.0 millimeters.

FIGS. 77 a-b are front views showing adhesive 90 being applied to edges81′, 82′, 160, 162 with a nozzle, brush or the like.

After application of the adhesive 90, the edges 81′, 162, 160, 82′ arepressed together such that the once separate polyurethane-felt panelsS1′, S2′, S3′ now form a contiguous multi-segment panel MP′ with twosubstantially horizontal seams 100 a′, 100 b′, as shown in FIG. 78.

FIG. 79 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line designated79-79 in FIG. 78. Note the felt-felt bonds between the top panel S1′ andthe middle panel S3′ and the middle panel S3′ and the bottom panel S2′.These felt-felt bonding sections add structural integrity to thecontiguous panel MP′. The panels S1′, S2′, S3′ are bonded together suchthat their polyurethane layers 60 a′, 60 b′, 60 c′ form a contiguouspolyurethane side 110′ and their felt layers 62 a′, 62 b′, 62 c′ form acontiguous felt side 112′

FIG. 80 shows a cross-sectional view of a completed three-panel multisegment grip G′ showing the two substantially horizontal seams 100 a′,100 b′ relative to the length of the grip G′.

FIG. 80A is an enlarged view of the encircled portion designated 80A inFIG. 80. It shows the substantially horizontal seams 100 a′, 100 b′.Particularly, it shows how seam 100 a′ is constructed with the skivedbackside bottom edge of the first panel S1′ abutting the skivedfrontside top edge of the third panel S3′. The skived bottom edge of thefirst panel S1′ is skived from the inside layer 62 a′ to the outsidelayer 60 a′ so as to form an obtuse angle α′ with the inner surface 63a′ of the first panel S1′. The skived top edge of the third panel S3′ isskived from the outside layer 60 c′ to the inside layer 62 c′ so as toform an obtuse angle γ′ with the outer surface 61 c′ of the third panelS3′. Seam 100 b′ is shown in a similar fashion. The skived bottom edgeof the third panel S3′ is skived from the inside layer 62 c′ to theoutside layer 60 c′ so as to form an obtuse angle δ′ with the innersurface 63 c′ of the third panel S3′. The skived top edge of the secondpanel S2′ is skived from the outside layer 60 b′ to the inside layer 62b′ so as to form an obtuse angle β′ with the outer surface 61 b′ of thesecond panel S2′. Notably, it is preferred that obtuse angle α′ andobtuse angle γ′ are equal such that when panel S1′ is joined to panelS3′, they form a portion of substantially flat single panel S′ (viewedin cross-section in FIG. 80A). Likewise, it is preferred that obtuseangle δ′ and obtuse angle β′ are equal such that when panel S3′ isjoined to panel S2′, they too form a portion of substantially flatsingle panel S′ (also viewed in cross-section in FIG. 80A).

Referring now to FIG. 81, there is shown a golf club GC having a handle55 upon which has been telescopically secured a grip G made inaccordance with the disclosure herein contained. FIG. 82 shows a puttergrip PG which is telescopically applied to the handle 57 of a putter P.

It should be understood that the outer surface of a grip embodying thepresent invention may be coated by means of a brush, nozzle, spray orthe like with a thin layer of polyurethane (not shown) to protect suchsurface, add tackiness thereto and increase the durability thereof.

A golf club grip of the present invention provides the advantages overthe existing wrapped and single panel grips described hereinbefore.Additionally, such grip has the appearance of a molded, one-piece gripfamiliar to professional and low-handicap golfers. Although some of suchgolfers are reluctant to use a non-traditional wrapped club, they arewilling to play with a structurally integral multi-segment grip of thepresent invention since such grip affords the shock absorbing andtackiness qualities of a wrapped grip. Further, many individual golfersand high school, college, and professional teams like the camaraderieand unification that can be achieved by putting team colors on theirgolf grips without sacrificing comfort, durability or tackiness. Mypresent invention allows the application of the multiple colors to golfclub and putter grips to allow these teams and individuals to expresstheir spirit and enthusiasm in a way never before possible.

Further details of the single panel grip and its applications aredescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/392480, filed on Mar.18, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of theprinciples of the invention, and that various modifications,alterations, and combinations can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

1. A grip for the handle of a golf club, said grip comprising: aresilient underlisting sleeve having an opening at one end sized so thatsaid sleeve is telescopically slippable onto the handle of a golf club;said sleeve including a cap and a nipple; said cap defining a downwardlyfacing circumferential slot; said nipple defining an upwardly facingcircumferential slot; a first panel including a polyurethane outsidelayer bonded to a felt inside layer, said first panel having a top edge,a bottom edge and two side edges extending between said top edge andsaid bottom edge, said inside layer defining an inner surface of saidfirst panel; a second panel including a polyurethane outside layerbonded to a felt inside layer, said second panel having a top edge, abottom edge and two side edges extending between said top edge and saidbottom edge, said outside layer defining an outer surface of said secondpanel; said first panel defining a skived bottom edge having skivingextending from the inside layer to the outside layer so as to form anobtuse angle with said inner surface of said first panel; said secondpanel defining a skived top edge having skiving extending from theoutside layer to the inside layer so as to form an obtuse angle withsaid outer surface of said second panel; said bottom edge of said firstpanel abuts and is adhered to said top edge of said second panel; saidfirst panel and said second panel wrapped about and adhered to saidunderlisting sleeve so that said bottom edge of said first panel andsaid top edge of said second panel cooperate to form a substantiallyhorizontal seam. 2-84. (canceled)